“We are excited to kick-start the project EUH2STARS which will demonstrate the feasibility of a smart and energy-efficient operation of a hydrogen storage facility on depleted gas reservoirs at technology readiness level (TRL) 8. The project will be building on the results of the projects HyUSPRe and USS 2030, funded respectively by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and the Austrian Climate and Energy fund. EUH2STARS will not only demonstrate a first of its kind underground hydrogen storage solution in Rubensdorf, Austria, but also prepare three replicator sites in Hungary, Spain and the Netherlands thereby maximising the European dimension of the project.”
Mirela Atanasiu, Executive Director ad interim of Clean Hydrogen Partnership
“The foundation for EUH2STARS is RAG’s experience from its first hydrogen storage projects in Upper Austria. RAG was the first company to prove that hydrogen can be stored seasonally and in large volumes in underground natural gas reservoirs. By scaling up this technology, we are demonstrating how the summer sun can be utilized for heat and electricity in winter."
Markus Mitteregger, CEO RAG Austria AG
“TNO is proud to be part of the EUH2STARS project. EUH2STARS enables us to exploit the results from ongoing and recently completed research projects, among which the European-funded HyUSPRe project, to further advance the readiness level of underground hydrogen storage towards demonstration at scale. We are confident that the EUH2STARS project consortium under the leadership of RAG, and with key players active in underground storage from several countries in Europe, will be able via EUH2STARS to demonstrate that hydrogen can be safely, reliably and economically stored in underground natural gas reservoirs in Europe.”
Remco Groenenberg, lead scientist Subsurface Energy Storage at TNO
“The joint undertaking – EUH2STARS – paves the way for the decarbonised European economy. Large-scale hydrogen storage systems are important nodes of future energy networks of the European Union which will allow the further development of wind and solar power.”
Aleksander Makaruk, R&D Lead and Senior Engineer, Axiom
“Hungarian Gas Storage Ltd. is committed towards green transition related innovations. Our aim in EUH2STARS is to generate knowledge and understanding on hydrogen related energy storage activities and take significant steps towards sector coupling as well as bringing sustainable additional value to our company in the long run.”
Akos Kriston, CEO Hungarian Gas Storage Ltd.
"Hydrogen storage is one of the central blocks of the energy system of the future. It is a fundamental cornerstone of our energy infrastructure, which is why we are actively involved in the further development of these systems."
Robert Tichler, EIL Director
“I am delighted that AGGM is part of the EUH2STARS project. Over the past two years, AGGM has drawn up the H2-Roadmap for Austria, which shows the needs-based development of the hydrogen infrastructure in Austria from 2026 to 2050 and was confirmed by the Ministry of Climate Action in the Austrian network infrastructure plan. Hydrogen storage facilities are an essential part of this infrastructure. The EUH2STARS project is an important contribution to the actual development of the hydrogen infrastructure.”
Helmut Wernhart, Lead of Infrastructure development, AGGM
“Hydrogen storage will be essential in the future energy system to satisfy long-term energy storage needs. Building the required storage infrastructure over the next two decades poses a challenge that can only be tackled through collaboration. EUH2STARS offers the unique opportunity to work with European storage operators to demonstrate the feasibility and economic viability of hydrogen storage in depleted gas fields and to prepare its deployment across Europe.”
Frank Geuzebroek, Decision Executive Subsurface Hydrogen Storage
Technology Programme at Shell Global Solutions International B.V.
“As a utility company, LINZ AG is constantly working toward leveraging the potential of sustainable alternative fuels such as hydrogen, implementing measures that help us get fit for a future in which this energy carrier is put to great use. EUH2STARS, a trendsetting project of the European Union, represents a major milestone in this quest. As an energy supplier, our long-term goal is to use hydrogen as an energy vector for the seasonal storage of excess energy in summer for use in winter. During the cold season, LINZ AG will thus be able to supply people and businesses within its supply area with green electricity and green district heating produced from climate-neutral hydrogen.”
Erich Haider, General Manager of LINZ AG
“For Montanuniversitaet Leoben it is a big pleasure and also responsibility to participate in an international consortium to demonstrate that large scale high pressure underground hydrogen storage is possible. Hydrogen storage will give our society the possibility to switch from carbon based energy carriers to hydrogen based energy carriers. Considering the tremendous climate change this is a very important and necessary initiative to set the basis for accelerating the energy transition. Montanuniversitaet Leoben is looking forward to the impact of European Union project EUH2STARS.“
Gregor Mori, Associate Professor for Corrosion and Hydrogen Embrittlement at Montanuniversitaet Leoben
“Trinity Energy Storage is strongly committed to the European decarbonization strategy, which must make underground green hydrogen storage a reality, proved to be a promising technology to provide security of energy supply by covering the seasonal supply/demand gap. Trinity is delighted to be part of this adventure, pioneering the future of the energy transition.”
Julio Matesanz, Trinity Exploration Manager
